The Rock

Introduction

We have over the past several weeks relived some biblical events through the life of Peter, trying to enter into his world and experience what he might have experienced. For forty days, Jesus spent time with his disciples and others teaching them what the scriptures had to say about him and how he fulfilled the prophets’ message. This would have been a time of intense learning. But even with all that uninterrupted time, when we come to Acts 1:6, the disciples still think that some kind of earthly kingdom will soon make its appearance. Something is missing. These disciples have not yet gotten the vision of what will be done through them.

Jesus ascends to the Father and tells the disciples to remain in Jerusalem waiting for the Holy Spirit to be given to them. They walk back into Jerusalem and return to an upper room. Perhaps there is a mixture of emotions in that room—anticipation about the future, uncertainty as they wait, and sadness as their friend has left. What we do know is that they sought God’s will and direction. According to Acts 1:14, their time was spent praying. There isn’t an agenda. This is not an official business meeting. Neither should we see this upper room experience as one of somberness. Undoubtedly, they shared memories and episodes and reminded each other of what Jesus said, did, taught, and what he meant to them. Every day for ten days about 120 people meet together to pray and to wait.

It is Peter who gets things started. In Acts 1:15 he recommends that together they choose one who will take Judas’ place. Peter quotes two verses from the Psalms as proof that they are to choose another to be an apostle. As Peter says in 1:22, this new apostle must become a witness with the others about the resurrection of Jesus. This tells us that while the apostles may not have known exactly how to get started, they did know that they were going to be speaking about the resurrection. This was going to be the main point of anything they might say. But notice it is Peter who takes the lead. He is the one who initiates this process. Already we see that Peter is becoming a leader among the apostles.

Ten days after the ascension of Jesus, the 120 are meeting together. Their prayer time is disturbed by the sound of a violent wind. With this sound came a visual sight they would never forget. What appeared to be tongues of fire rested on each one of them. The Holy Spirit gave to whom he wished the gift of speaking in a language which was recognizable but never before learned. The sound attracted those in Jerusalem because of celebrating Pentecost, a harvest festival. Quickly a crowd assembled around the house and each one heard someone speaking his or her own language. The crowd couldn’t believe their ears. Some were so unbelieving that they ridiculed the whole event as drunken people out of control.

But Peter is the one who addresses the crowd. The one who shrank into the shadows just fifty days before in order not to be seen, stands up in front of this huge crowd and speaks the truth. He declares the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. And he proclaims that message with such clarity and with such boldness that 3,000 are convicted to repent of their sin and to be baptized in the name of Jesus. The sermon we have in Acts 2 is not complete. Verse 40 tells us that Peter spoke many more words to convince and persuade his hearers. The question is: what produced such a change in Peter? What happened to him to cause him to be the leader? We’ll investigate tonight.

What Changed Peter?

From one who denied to one who preached the message with boldness—what happened? From one who gave impetuous ideas on a mountain top to one who wanted only Jesus to be known—what happened? From one who rebuked Jesus to one who praised him—what happened? Some significant changes took place in the life of Peter. What prompted those changes? I would suggest three things.

First, the resurrection. Don Francisco wrote a song entitled “He’s Alive,” written from the perspective of Peter, reminding us of what Peter may have thought after seeing the empty tomb. “Something strange happened there, just what I did not know. John believed a miracle, but I just turned to go. Circumstance and speculation couldn’t lift me very high, because I had seen them crucify him and then I saw him die.” Peter was a man who believed what he saw. Having seen Jesus die, there is no way that a story from Mary about a resurrection would change his mind. Francisco continues, “Back inside the house again the guilt and anguish came. Everything I’d promised him just added to my shame. When at last it came to choices, I denied I knew his name. Even if he was alive, it wouldn’t be the same. Suddenly the air was filled with strange and sweet perfume. Light that came from everywhere drove shadows from the room. Jesus stood before me with his arms held opened wide, and I fell down on my knees and just clung to him and cried.” There is no way that Peter could be the same after the resurrection. As Francisco depicts Peter after meeting Jesus, Peter shouts with conviction, “He’s alive, I’m forgiven. He’s alive.” When one becomes convinced about the resurrection, something happens. When we think that death didn’t hold Jesus and we are promised that we will share with Jesus in this same resurrection power, then death doesn’t frighten or intimidate us. Confidence becomes a part of our life because we know that our Savior lives.

Second, the scriptures. Luke 24:44-45 says that Jesus explained the prophets to them. He didn’t leave Peter and the other apostles in the dark about what had happened and was going to happen. Jesus carefully explained how his life fulfilled the words of the prophets. Such teaching allowed Peter and the apostles to speak with great boldness on the day of Pentecost. Those listening to the message could not refute the scriptures. Those who wanted to know and discover truth were convinced by what they heard and saw based on the scriptures. The scriptures are still valid for us as well. For those who want to know and discover truth, the Bible is able to withstand the scrutiny of individuals and has already withstood the scrutiny of time. When we know the scriptures, we can confidently proclaim the truth.

Third, the Holy Spirit. Jesus had promised that the Spirit would come upon them with power. And when he did, the apostles were not the same. Waiting in that house, praying and trying to determine what God’s desire was, the Spirit came. They knew that they were to be witnesses to the resurrection. But how to start was another problem. They were told to wait and when the Spirit came, the time for waiting was over. Some would say that we can’t be like Peter. His personality even before these things was outgoing and one of seeming confidence. Granted Peter seemed to have a leader mentality even before the resurrection, the explanation of the scriptures and the coming of the Holy Spirit. But with these things he became much more focused on using his personality for Christ.

That needs to be our goal. Whatever personality traits you may have you can be focused as Peter was focused on making sure that Jesus was central to your life and words. We believe in the resurrection. We study the scriptures. We have the Spirit living within us. Just as these things changed Peter from impetuousness and one who did not take a stand to one who channeled energy to presenting Christ and who boldly stood to proclaim the Lordship of Jesus, so we, too, can be changed. We do not have to shrink in fear, but instead can come into the light and explain who our Jesus is with boldness and confidence. Paul will write in 2 Timothy 1:7 that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but instead a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. In Ephesians 1:19, Paul says that the resurrection power is at work within us. We have something which only Christians can have—the power of God at work within us. Like Peter let’s use what God has given in order to focus our energies on honoring him.

Follow Jesus

If you’d like to respond to this message or learn more about following Jesus, please reach out.